Search Results

You are looking at 1 - 3 of 3 items for :

  • Author: Sonja de Groot x
  • International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance x
  • Refine by Access: All Content x
Clear All Modify Search
Restricted access

An Incremental Shuttle Wheel Test for Wheelchair Tennis Players

Sonja de Groot, Linda J. Valent, Richard Fickert, Babette M. Pluim, and Han Houdijk

Purpose:

To determine the relationship between outcomes of the shuttle wheel test (SWT) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) during that test and whether SWT and VO2peak can discriminate between different skill levels of wheelchair tennis players.

Methods:

Fifteen wheelchair tennis players performed an SWT on a tennis court while VO2 was measured continuously. Outcome measures were VO2peak and achieved stage. Relations between outcomes and Dutch wheelchair tennis ranking were calculated with Spearman correlation. Independent t tests were used to test for differences between national and international players.

Results:

Moderate correlations were found between VO2peak and SWT outcome (r = .40–.47). The tennis ranking correlated weakly with VO2peak (r = –.35) and strongly with SWT outcome (r = –.80). A significant difference was found between national and international players for achieved stage (P = .027) and VO2peak (P = .027).

Conclusions:

The SWT outcome only explained a small part of the variance in VO2peak among players, so it cannot be considered a valid test for aerobic capacity. However, SWT outcomes are related to the skill level of the player and give a good indication of the overall peak wheelchair performance.

Restricted access

Criterion Validity of a Field-Based Assessment of Aerobic Capacity in Wheelchair Rugby Athletes

Vicky L. Goosey-Tolfrey, Sonja de Groot, Keith Tolfrey, and Tom A.W. Paulson

Purpose: To confirm whether peak aerobic capacity determined during laboratory testing could be replicated during an on-court field-based test in wheelchair rugby players. Methods: Sixteen wheelchair rugby players performed an incremental speed-based peak oxygen uptake ( V ˙ O 2 peak ) test on a motorized treadmill (TM) and completed a multistage fitness test (MFT) on a basketball court in a counterbalanced order, while spirometric data were recorded. A paired t test was performed to check for systematic error between tests. A Bland–Altman plot for V ˙ O 2 peak illustrated the agreement between the TM and MFT results and how this related to the boundaries of practical equivalence. Results: No significant differences between mean V ˙ O 2 peak were reported (TM: 1.85 [0.63] vs MFT: 1.81 [0.63] L·min−1; P = .33). Bland–Altman plot for V ˙ O 2 peak suggests that the mean values are in good agreement at the group level; that is, the exact 95% confidence limits for the ratio systematic error (0.95–1.02) are within the boundaries of practical equivalence (0.88–1.13) showing that the group average TM and MFT values are interchangeable. However, consideration of the data at the level of the individual athlete suggests that the TM and MFT results were not interchangeable because the 95% ratio limits of agreement either coincide with the boundaries of practical equivalence (upper limit) or fall outside (lower limit). Conclusions: Results suggest that the MFT provides a suitable test at a group level with this cohort of wheelchair rugby players for the assessment of V ˙ O 2 peak (range 0.97–3.64 L·min–1), yet caution is noted for interchangeable use of values between tests for individual players.

Restricted access

The Effect of a Newly Developed Hand Rim on Mobility Performance and Propulsion Technique in Wheelchair Tennis Players

Thomas Rietveld, Rowie J.F. Janssen, Lucas H.V. van der Woude, Riemer J.K. Vegter, and Sonja de Groot

Purpose: To investigate the effect of a newly developed hand rim in wheelchair tennis players from a lab and field perspective. Methods: Nine wheelchair tennis players performed a set of field and lab tests with the new rim (NR) and regular rim on the racket side. Each player had a 60- to 120-minute regular training session with the NR. Three wheelchair tennis field tests (20-m sprint, Illinois, spider) were completed on a hard court using inertial measurement units. The inertial measurement units enabled analysis of linear/rotational velocity and acceleration. In the lab, two 4-minute submaximal tests (at 1.5 and 2 m/s, 0.2 W/kg), followed directly by a 5-second sprint, on a wheelchair ergometer were completed. Force and velocity were measured continuously throughout all tests. Mixed linear models investigated the effect between the 2 hand rims. Results: During the spider test, mean rotational velocity to the racket side (−2%, P = .005) was lower in the NR, and end times were similar between hand-rim conditions. No differences were observed in the 20-m sprint and Illinois field tests. In the lab, contact angle (+6%, P = .04), cycle time (+12%, P = .007), and work per push (+13%, P = .005) were higher in the NR during submaximal propulsion. Work per push (+13%, P = .007), peak velocity (+3%, P < .001), and distance covered (+4%, P = .02) were higher with the NR during the 5-second sprint test. Conclusions: The NR seems slightly favorable compared with the regular rim during performance testing on a wheelchair ergometer in wheelchair tennis players. A longer practice time might show more insights between the hand-rim types.